Wizarding World - Diagon Alley Discussion - Part 2

[NathanB]

Remember, the Utilidoors are not tunnels. They are the first level of a structure. Digging in that area would be hell with the water table.

With that being said, I don't think the walkway is there for TM access.

I agree. Seeing the new pics we can see the structure leads to nowhere. Earlier I was convinced it led into the side of a structure. But that was from looking at the grainy WESH photos.

Thanks for the awesome photos guys! I will definitely try to contribute to the next flight.

 

[Miketheboss]

That is definitely a bridge for cast members. The sides are angled upwards so that people on the ground wont see someone walking across. When the bridge is covered with its opaque glass, it'll look like its closed up and seem like people can actually walk inside it. And if it werent, why wouldn't they put hand rails at the end to where the walkway connects to the bridge.

 

[maxairmike]

The bridge isn't for cast members, and Florida has a very high water table at times. MK is built on a man made hill for those tunnels. Note that they never tried it again, as it is fraught with water difficulties. The deepest tunnel you will see in this construction is with with the south station.

Actually they did it again with EPCOT, but it is only under Future World. The large slope at the entrance either side of SSE is taking you up above the tunnel level at EPCOT, and if you look on Google Maps you will notice the main tunnel entrance next to Universe of Energy. There are actually four levels to the Land pavilion! However, EPCOT's are not really used by the regular Cast that much. But yes, outside of a small section of Pleasure Island, and a few resorts, the ground level at Disney is actually the ground floor everywhere else on property.

As for Universal, building a mini utilidor underneath this expansion (while JK probably would have loved the idea if anyone mentioned it to her) would be ridiculously expensive (I'd expect the cost of the thing to nearly double just by doing that) and not very practical. May as well just theme a little known part of the land to use as a service walkway for easy access to lighting/effects, as well as hiding said things.

 

[Skipper Justin]

If you look at the area it looks like that will be near where the brick entrance is. Diagon alley may start after you exit most of the bridge and not ruining any sightlines.

 

[Teebin]

I stand by what I have stated.

 

[inferi88]

The bridge cannot be for team members, here is why:

1: There is a staircase leading to the bride, but I see no area for an elevator.

2: By looking at the photo, the bridge just ends. Nothing on the roof at the other end indicates that people can simply walk across the bridge.

I think the stairs are up there for maintenance for the covered canopy only.

 

[GGGhost]

From twitter:

@hatetofly: That large bridge over Diagon that people are so up in air about has a very useful, common, and "required" purpose...

...I'm still stumped.

 

[bobwadd]

Any thought, Teebs?

 

[maxairmike]

Possibly drainage is the first thing that comes to mind, but why two?

 

[bobwadd]

^ You beat me to it. Yes they are drains. A pair is common in commercial installations in case one clogs.

They are raised because they are going to pour a slab on top of the corrugated steel. :thumbs:

 

[jubs]

Possibly drainage is the first thing that comes to mind, but why two?

I was thinking the same thing, but they honestly do not look like drainage pipes and the remainder of the bridge looks completely "useless", if we're going to stand by HTF and his statement that it is "required". I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I trust HTF and others here when it comes to insider info, but aside from very basic theme elements and possible pyrotechnic applications, it is very difficult to ascertain what the true purpose of this bridge is. Trust UC to come up with something awesome and relevant to the Wizarding World, and trust HTF, Bobwadd and Disneyhead to figure out what the hell it is; I only hope someone can pull the wool from over our eyes!

 

[bobwadd]

Reference picture with drains. More corrugated formwork . . .

 

[jubs]

^ alright, so this is going to be a substantial thematic element? what part of harry potter is this derived from? I recall the train from Prisoner of Azkaban being suggested.

 

[bobwadd]

A little perspective.

This shot was taken when adjusting the camera settings preparing for the real deal. It shows how much you really have to lean out so the skids don't get in the shot when shooting straight down. I was lucky as there was a 4-point harness in the front. I kept it fairly loose so I could lean way out. In the back seats they only had regular lap & shoulder automotive style belts.

 

[ReelJustice]

Might as well have covered the whole bloody thing. It's like when they destroyed historic neighborhoods in New Orleans by building elevated interstate highways right down the middle.

Hyperbole, yes, but whatever. I'm sure it'll make sense eventually, but right now, I just see a ridiculous visual intrusion amongst an already beautifully themed area.

 

[Felipe]

Might as well have covered the whole bloody thing. It's like when they destroyed historic neighborhoods in New Orleans by building elevated interstate highways right down the middle.

Hyperbole, yes, but whatever. I'm sure it'll make sense eventually, but right now, I just see a ridiculous visual intrusion amongst an already beautifully themed area.

And it's not stopping there. Look at the concept art. There's another canopy still to come above the street between Ollivanders and Gringotts. But again, I think we gotta wait to see in in person and being under it. This is an incredibly tall build, so even if it's not totally authentic, I don't think it will end up being that visually intrusive.

 

[maxairmike]

^ You beat me to it. Yes they are drains. A pair is common in commercial installations in case one clogs.

They are raised because they are going to pour a slab on top of the corrugated steel. :thumbs:

I almost said as much about the concrete, but decided to keep the answer simple in case I screwed up somewhere in the longer answer I was originally going to give.

 

[ReelJustice]

And it's not stopping there. Look at the concept art. There's another canopy still to come above the street between Ollivanders and Gringotts. But again, I think we gotta wait to see in in person and being under it. This is an incredibly tall build, so even if it's not totally authentic, I don't think it will end up being that visually intrusive.

Without a doubt it's bisecting Diagon Alley proper from Weasley's.

 

[jubs]

It seems like a little bit of blue sky will permeate the initial stretch of Diagon, before the bridge eclipses the sky line and just next to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. After that it looks as though we get our first full perspective view of Gringotts at the end of Diagon Alley.

 

[GGGhost]

Honestly, I think the bridge is high enough that we will still be able to see Gringotts upon entering Diagon. It seems the only view it will severely obstruct is that of the Weasleys' facade from the Gringotts end of the street.

That being said, I'm still unclear as to the purpose it will serve since it seems to lead nowhere except maybe the roof of Leaky/Knockturn.